On march 5th, 2014, some within the Christian community will begin the observance of the Lent Season. In my own locale, it seems to be a rather confusing type observance. People want to show their love for Jesus, no one wants to go to Hell, and people have a genuine interest in wanting to please Him...more.
Yet, with that being said, we still don't really know what to do about Lent. Are we suppose to walk around feeling guilty about our sin, are we to not eat food or drink we really love to show Christ He means more to us than...let's say ice cream, or are we do do more charity work and give to others as a kind of token of appreciation for what Christ Jesus has done for us?
I think Lent in this modern day brings a challenge to each of us...like an athlete preparing for a competition. The question for me becomes not so much I have to demonstrate my love for Him by giving up a certain food or drink, rather, the challenge is...How much do I really want Him to operate in my own everyday life? Do I really want to take time to study the Sacred Scriptures each day...even when I don't initially understand what I am reading...Do I want to spend a designated time in prayer and learn how to receive His Grace each day...and Do I want to surrender my inner most thoughts to Him, and allow His Presence to be known to me...when I am about to get really ticked off at someone, or when someone has let me down, or when I am being an "ass" myself...just because I feel like it?
Saint Paul mentions in various Scriptures the importance of our daily Christian walk being compared to an athlete who is training for the Olympics, or a high school and college student training to enter professional sports. Christ Jesus wants all of us, and I think Lent presents that challenge to us. Certainly we are doing the right thing seeking the Lord for forgiveness of sin in our lives, and yet there comes that time to repent of our former thoughts and actions, and go into training...like an athlete...and become what God really intends us to be.
I think this is what Lent offers us today...A Challenge...to become more like Him. This challenge of Lent demands all of our attention....all of our focus....and, we may even "sweat" a little.
Dr. George Sheehan, the world renown author on the sport of running, once wrote: " Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach."
In the book of Hebrews, Paul writes a little about "running the race." In chapter 12 beginning in verse one Paul observes that we are surrounded by witnesses. One dictionary defines witnesses as "one who has the knowledge and sees an event...from facing like or similar experiences themselves.
Also in Hebrews 12, Paul attributes our Christian lifestyle to running a race. In many basic training guides for runners, there are usually a list of things a runner (particularly a beginner) should know before he/she begins their training:
1. Select the type of training you desire
2. Have the appropriate gear needed for the type of training you have chosen.
3. Choose good nutrients to replace the ones you burn while training...and drink water.
4. Give yourself planned intervals of rest.
5. Schedule your work-outs.
6. You will have some "bad days"...keep in your mind always...the next one will be better.
7. Don't rush your training...be consistent and as detailed as you can be.
Imagine if we took our Christian faith... as a runner preparing for a race......
A Gleaning form Hebrews 12:1-2
" Since we are totally surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...pioneers who have blazed the way and veterans who have given their very lives...we now must strip off anything that slows us down or tries to hold us back....like those weights of sin that so badly wants to wrap themselves around us with the intent of bringing us to the ground. Rather, the time has come for us to run...and run we will...with a patient endurance, a steady and active movement...in the race that lies directly in front of us!
We must look away from any distractions that would lure us from this race, and stay attentive to our Lord Jesus...who is both our Trainer and Instructor.
Jesus Himself is the True Champion of all races, for He finished His race, considering a great joy to die a shameful death at the Cross. Jesus knew the Prize that awaited Him, and despised and ignored all the shame He endured...to complete His race at the Cross. And now...Jesus sits at the right hand of Our Father...in Heaven!...and we my brothers and sisters...are His Prize!"
Yet, with that being said, we still don't really know what to do about Lent. Are we suppose to walk around feeling guilty about our sin, are we to not eat food or drink we really love to show Christ He means more to us than...let's say ice cream, or are we do do more charity work and give to others as a kind of token of appreciation for what Christ Jesus has done for us?
I think Lent in this modern day brings a challenge to each of us...like an athlete preparing for a competition. The question for me becomes not so much I have to demonstrate my love for Him by giving up a certain food or drink, rather, the challenge is...How much do I really want Him to operate in my own everyday life? Do I really want to take time to study the Sacred Scriptures each day...even when I don't initially understand what I am reading...Do I want to spend a designated time in prayer and learn how to receive His Grace each day...and Do I want to surrender my inner most thoughts to Him, and allow His Presence to be known to me...when I am about to get really ticked off at someone, or when someone has let me down, or when I am being an "ass" myself...just because I feel like it?Saint Paul mentions in various Scriptures the importance of our daily Christian walk being compared to an athlete who is training for the Olympics, or a high school and college student training to enter professional sports. Christ Jesus wants all of us, and I think Lent presents that challenge to us. Certainly we are doing the right thing seeking the Lord for forgiveness of sin in our lives, and yet there comes that time to repent of our former thoughts and actions, and go into training...like an athlete...and become what God really intends us to be.
I think this is what Lent offers us today...A Challenge...to become more like Him. This challenge of Lent demands all of our attention....all of our focus....and, we may even "sweat" a little.
Dr. George Sheehan, the world renown author on the sport of running, once wrote: " Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach."
In the book of Hebrews, Paul writes a little about "running the race." In chapter 12 beginning in verse one Paul observes that we are surrounded by witnesses. One dictionary defines witnesses as "one who has the knowledge and sees an event...from facing like or similar experiences themselves.
Also in Hebrews 12, Paul attributes our Christian lifestyle to running a race. In many basic training guides for runners, there are usually a list of things a runner (particularly a beginner) should know before he/she begins their training:
1. Select the type of training you desire
2. Have the appropriate gear needed for the type of training you have chosen.
3. Choose good nutrients to replace the ones you burn while training...and drink water.
4. Give yourself planned intervals of rest.
5. Schedule your work-outs.
6. You will have some "bad days"...keep in your mind always...the next one will be better.
7. Don't rush your training...be consistent and as detailed as you can be.
Imagine if we took our Christian faith... as a runner preparing for a race......
A Gleaning form Hebrews 12:1-2
" Since we are totally surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...pioneers who have blazed the way and veterans who have given their very lives...we now must strip off anything that slows us down or tries to hold us back....like those weights of sin that so badly wants to wrap themselves around us with the intent of bringing us to the ground. Rather, the time has come for us to run...and run we will...with a patient endurance, a steady and active movement...in the race that lies directly in front of us!
We must look away from any distractions that would lure us from this race, and stay attentive to our Lord Jesus...who is both our Trainer and Instructor.
Jesus Himself is the True Champion of all races, for He finished His race, considering a great joy to die a shameful death at the Cross. Jesus knew the Prize that awaited Him, and despised and ignored all the shame He endured...to complete His race at the Cross. And now...Jesus sits at the right hand of Our Father...in Heaven!...and we my brothers and sisters...are His Prize!"
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